diff --git a/libsrc/interface/CMakeLists.txt b/libsrc/interface/CMakeLists.txt
index caf93017..ceb87a01 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/libsrc/interface/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-target_sources(nglib PRIVATE
+target_sources(nglib PRIVATE writeuser.cpp
         nginterface.cpp nginterface_v2.cpp 
         read_fnf_mesh.cpp readtetmesh.cpp readuser.cpp writeabaqus.cpp writediffpack.cpp 
         writedolfin.cpp writeelmer.cpp writefeap.cpp writefluent.cpp writegmsh.cpp writejcm.cpp 
-        writepermas.cpp writetecplot.cpp writetet.cpp writetochnog.cpp writeuser.cpp
+        writepermas.cpp writetecplot.cpp writetet.cpp writetochnog.cpp
         wuchemnitz.cpp writegmsh2.cpp writeOpenFOAM15x.cpp rw_cgns.cpp
 )
 
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/read_fnf_mesh.cpp b/libsrc/interface/read_fnf_mesh.cpp
index 39ad99ea..92c3978d 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/read_fnf_mesh.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/read_fnf_mesh.cpp
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@
 #include <meshing.hpp>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 
+#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 namespace netgen
 {
-#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
   bool ReadLine (istream & in, string & buf)
   {
@@ -471,4 +471,5 @@ namespace netgen
       }
     mesh.ComputeNVertices();
   }
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_fnf ("Pro/ENGINEER Format", {".fnf"}, ReadFNFFormat, nullopt);
 }
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/readuser.cpp b/libsrc/interface/readuser.cpp
index c3aac4ae..3ad4a33d 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/readuser.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/readuser.cpp
@@ -15,6 +15,12 @@
 
 namespace netgen
 {
+  extern void ReadTETFormat (Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename);
+  extern void ReadFNFFormat (Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename);
+#ifdef NG_CGNS
+  extern void ReadCGNSMesh (Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename);
+#endif // NG_CGNS
+
   void ReadFile (Mesh & mesh,
                  const filesystem::path & filename)
   {
@@ -665,9 +671,11 @@ namespace netgen
     if ( ext == ".fnf" )
         ReadFNFFormat (mesh, filename);
 
+#ifdef NG_CGNS
     // .cgns file - CFD General Notation System
     if ( ext == ".cgns" )
         ReadCGNSMesh (mesh, filename);
+#endif // NG_CGNS
 
     if ( ext == ".stl" || ext == ".stlb" )
       {
@@ -695,6 +703,24 @@ namespace netgen
         }
       }
   }
+
+  void ReadUserFormat(Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename, const string & format)
+  {
+    if(format == "")
+      return ReadFile(mesh, filename);
+
+    if(!UserFormatRegister::HaveFormat(format))
+      throw Exception("Unknown format: " + format);
+
+    const auto & entry = UserFormatRegister::Get(format);
+    if(!entry.read)
+      throw Exception("Reading format " + format + " is not implemented");
+
+    (*entry.read)(mesh, filename);
+  }
+
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_uni ("Universial Format", {".unv"}, ReadFile, nullopt);
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_olaf ("Olaf Format", {".emt"}, ReadFile, nullopt);
   
 }
 
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/rw_cgns.cpp b/libsrc/interface/rw_cgns.cpp
index ad0869a7..096fbfdc 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/rw_cgns.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/rw_cgns.cpp
@@ -808,32 +808,9 @@ namespace netgen
       cg_close(fn);
   }
 
-}
-
-#else // NG_CGNS
-
-namespace netgen
-{
-  void ReadCGNSMesh (Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename)
-    {
-      PrintMessage(1, "Could not import CGNS mesh: Netgen was built without CGNS support");
-    }
-
-  tuple<shared_ptr<Mesh>, vector<string>, vector<Array<double>>, vector<int>> ReadCGNSFile(const filesystem::path & filename, int base)
-    {
-      throw Exception("Netgen was built without CGNS support");
-    }
-
-  void WriteCGNSMesh (const Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename)
-    {
-      PrintMessage(1, "Could not write CGNS mesh: Netgen was built without CGNS support");
-    }
-
-  void WriteCGNSFile(shared_ptr<Mesh> mesh, const filesystem::path & filename, vector<string> fields, vector<Array<double>> values, vector<int> locations)
-    {
-      throw Exception("Netgen was built without CGNS support");
-    }
-
+  static RegisterUserFormat reg_cgns ("CGNS Format", {".cgns"},
+                                      static_cast<void(*)(Mesh &, const filesystem::path&)>(&ReadCGNSMesh),
+                                      static_cast<void(*)(const Mesh &, const filesystem::path&)>(&WriteCGNSMesh));
 }
 
 #endif // NG_CGNS
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writeOpenFOAM15x.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writeOpenFOAM15x.cpp
index d484e8d9..56b5780e 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writeOpenFOAM15x.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writeOpenFOAM15x.cpp
@@ -31,10 +31,10 @@
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 
 #include "../general/gzstream.h"
+#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 namespace netgen
 {
-#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
   extern MeshingParameters mparam;
 
@@ -757,5 +757,11 @@ namespace netgen
          cout << "Error in OpenFOAM 1.5+ Export.... Aborted!\n";
       }
    }
+
+void WriteOpenFOAM15xFormatCompressed (const Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & dirname) { WriteOpenFOAM15xFormat(mesh, dirname, true); }
+void WriteOpenFOAM15xFormatUncompressed (const Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & dirname) { WriteOpenFOAM15xFormat(mesh, dirname, false); }
+
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_openfoam ("OpenFOAM 1.5+ Format", {"*"}, nullopt, WriteOpenFOAM15xFormatUncompressed);
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_openfoam_compressed ("OpenFOAM 1.5+ Compressed", {"*"}, nullopt, WriteOpenFOAM15xFormatCompressed);
 }
 
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writeabaqus.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writeabaqus.cpp
index 8d698b0b..8a0557c9 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writeabaqus.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writeabaqus.cpp
@@ -10,9 +10,10 @@
 #include <csg.hpp>
 #include <meshing.hpp>
 
+#include "writeuser.hpp"
+
 namespace netgen
 {
-#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 
 
@@ -229,4 +230,5 @@ void WriteAbaqusFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
   cout << "done" << endl;
 }
 
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_abaqus ("Abaqus Format", {".mesh"}, nullopt, WriteAbaqusFormat);
 }
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writediffpack.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writediffpack.cpp
index 1c6ba159..9797dbed 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writediffpack.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writediffpack.cpp
@@ -13,14 +13,13 @@
 #include <csg.hpp>
 #include <meshing.hpp>
 
+#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 namespace netgen
 {
-#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 
 void WriteDiffPackFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-			  const NetgenGeometry & geom,
 			  const filesystem::path & filename)
 {
   //   double scale = globflags.GetNumFlag ("scale", 1);
@@ -322,4 +321,5 @@ void WriteDiffPackFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
         }
     }
 }
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_surface("DIFFPACK Format", {".mesh"}, nullopt, WriteDiffPackFormat);
 }
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writeelmer.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writeelmer.cpp
index 2b0be044..75cec877 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writeelmer.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writeelmer.cpp
@@ -197,4 +197,6 @@ void WriteElmerFormat (const Mesh &mesh,
       outfile_h << tmap[eltype] << " " << count << "\n";
 }
 
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_elmer ("Elmer Format", {"*"}, nullopt, WriteElmerFormat);
+
 }
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writefeap.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writefeap.cpp
index 0b5aad61..bdacdd7e 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writefeap.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writefeap.cpp
@@ -13,12 +13,13 @@
 #include <csg.hpp>
 #include <meshing.hpp>
 
+#include "writeuser.hpp"
+
 namespace netgen
 {
 
   extern MeshingParameters mparam;
 
-#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 
 void WriteFEAPFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
@@ -219,4 +220,5 @@ void WriteFEAPFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
 
   cout << "done" << endl;
 }
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_feap ("FEAP Format", {".mesh"}, nullopt, WriteFEAPFormat);
 }
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writefluent.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writefluent.cpp
index 43cb5fe3..eee7abbf 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writefluent.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writefluent.cpp
@@ -10,11 +10,10 @@
 #include <csg.hpp>
 #include <meshing.hpp>
 
-namespace netgen
-{
-
 #include "writeuser.hpp"
 
+namespace netgen
+{
 
 
 void WriteFluentFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
@@ -190,4 +189,5 @@ void WriteFluentFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
   cout << "done" << endl;
 }
 
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_fluent ("Fluent Format", {".mesh"}, nullopt, WriteFluentFormat);
 }
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writegmsh.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writegmsh.cpp
index 1048f582..58e7f8e6 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writegmsh.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writegmsh.cpp
@@ -17,10 +17,10 @@
 #include <linalg.hpp>
 #include <csg.hpp>
 #include <meshing.hpp>
+#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 namespace netgen
 {
-#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
   extern MeshingParameters mparam;
 
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ namespace netgen
  */
 
 void WriteGmshFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                      const NetgenGeometry & geom,
                       const filesystem::path & filename)
 {
   ofstream outfile (filename);
@@ -196,6 +195,7 @@ void WriteGmshFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
 
 
 }
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_gmsh ("Gmsh Format", {".gmsh"}, nullopt, WriteGmshFormat);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writegmsh2.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writegmsh2.cpp
index c80208c4..845556bd 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writegmsh2.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writegmsh2.cpp
@@ -20,10 +20,10 @@
 #include <linalg.hpp>
 #include <csg.hpp>
 #include <meshing.hpp>
+#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 namespace netgen
 {
-#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
   extern MeshingParameters mparam;
 
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@ namespace netgen
    *
    */
    void WriteGmsh2Format (const Mesh & mesh,
-      const NetgenGeometry & geom,
       const filesystem::path & filename)
    {
       ofstream outfile (filename);
@@ -258,6 +257,7 @@ namespace netgen
          cout << " Invalid element type for Gmsh v2.xx Export Format !\n";
       }
    } // End: WriteGmsh2Format
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_gmsh2 ("Gmsh2 Format", {".gmsh2"}, nullopt, WriteGmsh2Format);
 } // End: namespace netgen
 
 
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writejcm.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writejcm.cpp
index 7732b413..0c33263b 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writejcm.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writejcm.cpp
@@ -11,12 +11,12 @@
 #include <meshing.hpp>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 
-namespace netgen
-{
 #include "writeuser.hpp"
 
+namespace netgen
+{
+
 void WriteJCMFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                     const NetgenGeometry & geom,
                      const filesystem::path & filename)
 {
   if (mesh.GetDimension() != 3)
@@ -426,5 +426,6 @@ void WriteJCMFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
   cout << " JCMwave grid file written." << endl;
 }
 
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_jcmwave ("JCMwave Format", {".jcm"}, nullopt, WriteJCMFormat);
 }
 
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writepermas.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writepermas.cpp
index 3fbd5845..28885e67 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writepermas.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writepermas.cpp
@@ -12,14 +12,15 @@
 
 #include <string>
 
-using namespace std;
 #include "writeuser.hpp"
+using namespace std;
 
 namespace netgen
 {
     // Forward declarations (don't know, where to define them, sorry)
     int addComponent(string &strComp, string &strSitu, ofstream &out);
 
+    void WritePermasFormat (const Mesh &mesh, const filesystem::path &filename);
 
     // This should be the new function to export a PERMAS file
     void WritePermasFormat (const Mesh &mesh, const filesystem::path &filename, 
@@ -205,4 +206,5 @@ namespace netgen
         return 0;
     }
     
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_permas ("Permas Format", {".mesh"}, nullopt, static_cast<void(*)(const Mesh &, const filesystem::path&)>(&WritePermasFormat));
 }
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writetecplot.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writetecplot.cpp
index 2c130efb..53203503 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writetecplot.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writetecplot.cpp
@@ -9,16 +9,19 @@
 #include <csg.hpp>
 #include <meshing.hpp>
 
+#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 
 namespace netgen
 {
-#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 void WriteTecPlotFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-			 const CSGeometry & geom,
-			 const string & filename)
+			 const filesystem::path & filename)
 {
+  auto geom = dynamic_pointer_cast<CSGeometry>(mesh.GetGeometry());
+  if(geom == nullptr)
+    throw Exception("TecPlot format requires a CSGeometry");
+
   INDEX i;
   int j, k, e, z;
   Vec<3> n;
@@ -30,7 +33,7 @@ void WriteTecPlotFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
   NgArray<int> sn(np);
   ofstream outfile(filename);
   
-  outfile << "TITLE=\" " << filename << "\"" << endl;
+  outfile << "TITLE=\" " << filename.string() << "\"" << endl;
 
   // fill hashtable
 
@@ -56,7 +59,7 @@ void WriteTecPlotFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
     }
       
       
-  for (j = 1; j <= geom.GetNSurf(); j++)       /* Flaeche Nummer j */
+  for (j = 1; j <= geom->GetNSurf(); j++)       /* Flaeche Nummer j */
     {
       for (i = 1; i <= np; i++)
 	sn.Elem(i) = 0;
@@ -85,7 +88,7 @@ void WriteTecPlotFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
       for (i = 1; i <= np; i++)
 	if (sn.Elem(i) != 0)
 	  {
-	    n = geom.GetSurface(j) -> GetNormalVector ( mesh.Point(i) );
+	    n = geom->GetSurface(j) -> GetNormalVector ( mesh.Point(i) );
 		
 	    outfile << mesh.Point(i)(0) << " " /* Knoten Koordinaten */
 		    << mesh.Point(i)(1) << " "
@@ -123,5 +126,6 @@ void WriteTecPlotFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
     }
 }
 
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_tecplot ("TecPlot Format", {".mesh"}, nullopt, WriteTecPlotFormat);
 
 }
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writetet.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writetet.cpp
index 8e952ae9..89e9f278 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writetet.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writetet.cpp
@@ -6,21 +6,20 @@
 #include <csg.hpp>
 #include <acisgeom.hpp>
 #include <meshing.hpp>
+#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 namespace netgen
 {
-
-#include "writeuser.hpp"
-  
+  extern void ReadTETFormat (Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename);
   
   void WriteTETFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-		       const string & filename)//, const string& problemType )
+		       const filesystem::path & filename)//, const string& problemType )
   {
     string problemType = "";
     if(!mesh.PureTetMesh())
       throw NgException("Can only export pure tet mesh in this format");
 
-    cout << "starting .tet export to file " << filename << endl;
+    cout << "starting .tet export to file " << filename.string() << endl;
 
 
     NgArray<int> point_ids,edge_ids,face_ids;
@@ -1095,4 +1094,5 @@ namespace netgen
 
     cout << ".tet export done" << endl;
   }
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_tet ("TET Format", {".tet"}, ReadTETFormat, WriteTETFormat);
 }
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writetochnog.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writetochnog.cpp
index 3068a385..168f6b6a 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writetochnog.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writetochnog.cpp
@@ -13,10 +13,10 @@
 #include <csg.hpp>
 #include <meshing.hpp>
 
+#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 namespace netgen
 {
-#include "writeuser.hpp"
 
 
 void WriteTochnogFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
@@ -105,4 +105,5 @@ void WriteTochnogFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
   cout << "done" << endl;
 }
 
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_tochnog ("Tochnog Format", {".mesh"}, nullopt, WriteTochnogFormat);
 }
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writeuser.cpp b/libsrc/interface/writeuser.cpp
index 24aeb57b..04f3780f 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writeuser.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writeuser.cpp
@@ -18,155 +18,43 @@ namespace netgen
 {
   extern MeshingParameters mparam;
 
+  Array<UserFormatRegister::UserFormatEntry> UserFormatRegister::entries;
+  std::map<string, int> UserFormatRegister::format_to_entry_index;
 
   void RegisterUserFormats (NgArray<const char*> & names,
 			    NgArray<const char*> & extensions)
 			    
 {
-  const char *types[] =
+  for (const auto & entry : UserFormatRegister::entries)
     {
-      "Neutral Format",  ".mesh",
-      "Surface Mesh Format", ".mesh" ,
-      "DIFFPACK Format", ".mesh",
-      "TecPlot Format", ".mesh",
-      "Tochnog Format", ".mesh",
-      "Abaqus Format", ".mesh",
-      "Fluent Format", ".mesh",
-      "Permas Format", ".mesh",
-      "FEAP Format", ".mesh",
-      "Elmer Format", "*",
-      "STL Format", ".stl",
-      "STL Extended Format", ".stl",
-      "VRML Format", ".*",
-      "Gmsh Format", ".gmsh",
-      "Gmsh2 Format", ".gmsh2",
-      "OpenFOAM 1.5+ Format", "*",
-	  "OpenFOAM 1.5+ Compressed", "*",
-      "JCMwave Format", ".jcm",
-      "TET Format", ".tet",
-      "CGNS Format", ".cgns",
-      //      { "Chemnitz Format" },
-      0
-    };
-  
-  for (int i = 0; types[2*i]; i++)
-    {
-      names.Append (types[2*i]);
-      extensions.Append (types[2*i+1]);
+      names.Append (entry.format.c_str());
+      extensions.Append (entry.extensions[0].c_str());
     }
 }
   
-
-
-bool WriteUserFormat (const filesystem::path & format,
+bool WriteUserFormat (const string & format,
 		      const Mesh & mesh,
 		      const filesystem::path & filename)
 {
-  // cout << "write user &hgeom = " << &hgeom << endl;
-  // const CSGeometry & geom = *dynamic_cast<const CSGeometry*> (&hgeom);
-  const CSGeometry & geom = *dynamic_pointer_cast<CSGeometry> (mesh.GetGeometry());  
+  if(!UserFormatRegister::HaveFormat(format))
+    return true;
 
-  PrintMessage (1, "Export mesh to file ", filename,
-		", format is ", format);
+  const auto & entry = UserFormatRegister::Get(format);
+  if(!entry.write)
+    return true;
 
-  if (format == "Neutral Format")
-    WriteNeutralFormat (mesh, geom, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "Surface Mesh Format")
-    WriteSurfaceFormat (mesh, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "DIFFPACK Format")
-    WriteDiffPackFormat (mesh, geom, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "Tochnog Format")
-    WriteTochnogFormat (mesh, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "TecPlot Format")
-    cerr << "ERROR: TecPlot format currently out of order" << endl;
-      // WriteTecPlotFormat (mesh, geom, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "Abaqus Format")
-    WriteAbaqusFormat (mesh, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "Fluent Format")
-    WriteFluentFormat (mesh, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "Permas Format")
-    WritePermasFormat (mesh, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "FEAP Format")
-    WriteFEAPFormat (mesh, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "Elmer Format")
-    WriteElmerFormat (mesh, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "STL Format")
-    WriteSTLFormat (mesh, filename);
-
-  // Philippose - 16 August 2010
-  // Added additional STL Export in which
-  // each face of the geometry is treated
-  // as a separate "solid" entity
-  else if (format == "STL Extended Format")
-	WriteSTLExtFormat (mesh, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "VRML Format")
-    WriteVRMLFormat (mesh, 1, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "Fepp Format")
-    WriteFEPPFormat (mesh, geom, filename);
-
-  else if (format ==  "EdgeElement Format")
-    WriteEdgeElementFormat (mesh, geom, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "Chemnitz Format")
-    WriteUserChemnitz (mesh, filename);
-
-  else if (format == "Gmsh Format")
-    WriteGmshFormat (mesh, geom, filename);
-
-  // Philippose - 29/01/2009
-  // Added Gmsh v2.xx Mesh export capability
-  else if (format == "Gmsh2 Format")
-    WriteGmsh2Format (mesh, geom, filename);
-
-  // Philippose - 25/10/2009
-  // Added OpenFOAM 1.5+ Mesh export capability
-  else if (format == "OpenFOAM 1.5+ Format")
-    WriteOpenFOAM15xFormat (mesh, filename, false);
-
-  else if (format == "OpenFOAM 1.5+ Compressed")
-    WriteOpenFOAM15xFormat (mesh, filename, true);
-
-  else if (format == "JCMwave Format")
-    WriteJCMFormat (mesh, geom, filename);
-
-#ifdef OLIVER
-  else if (format == "TET Format")
-    WriteTETFormat( mesh, filename);//, "High Frequency" );
-#endif
-
-  else if (format == "CGNS Format")
-    WriteCGNSMesh( mesh, filename);
-
-  else
-    {
-      return 1;
-    }
-
-  return 0;
+  (*entry.write)(mesh, filename);
+  return false;
 }
 
 
 
-
 /*
  *  Neutral mesh format
  *  points, elements, surface elements
  */
 
 void WriteNeutralFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-			 const NetgenGeometry & geom,
 			 const filesystem::path & filename)
 {
   cout << "write neutral, new" << endl;
@@ -631,6 +519,16 @@ void WriteVRMLFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
 
 }
 
+void WriteVRMLFormatLineset (const Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename)
+{
+  WriteVRMLFormat(mesh, false, filename);
+}
+
+void WriteVRMLFormatFaceset (const Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename)
+{
+  WriteVRMLFormat(mesh, true, filename);
+}
+
 
 
 
@@ -640,7 +538,6 @@ void WriteVRMLFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
  * FEPP .. a finite element package developed at University Linz, Austria
  */
 void WriteFEPPFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-		      const NetgenGeometry & geom,
 		      const filesystem::path & filename)
 {
 
@@ -771,7 +668,6 @@ void WriteFEPPFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
  */
 
 void WriteEdgeElementFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-			     const NetgenGeometry & geom,
 			     const filesystem::path & filename)
 {
   cout << "write edge element format" << endl;
@@ -898,169 +794,14 @@ void WriteEdgeElementFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
     }
 }
 
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#ifdef OLDSTYLE_WRITE
-
-
-void WriteFile (int typ,
-		const Mesh & mesh,
-		const CSGeometry & geom,
-		const filesystem::path & filename,
-		const filesystem::path & geomfile,
-		double h)
-{
-
-
-  int inverttets = mparam.inverttets;
-  int invertsurf = mparam.inverttrigs;
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-  if (typ == WRITE_EDGEELEMENT)
-    {
-      // write edge element file
-      // Peter Harscher, ETHZ
-
-      cout << "Write Edge-Element Format" << endl;
-
-      ofstream outfile (filename);
-
-      int i, j;
-      int ned;
-
-      // hash table representing edges;
-      INDEX_2_HASHTABLE<int> edgeht(mesh.GetNP());
-
-      // list of edges
-      NgArray<INDEX_2> edgelist;
-
-      // edge (point) on boundary ?
-      NgBitArray bedge, bpoint(mesh.GetNP());
-
-      static int eledges[6][2] = { { 1, 2 } , { 1, 3 } , { 1, 4 },
-				   { 2, 3 } , { 2, 4 } , { 3, 4 } };
-
-      // fill hashtable   (point1, point2)  ---->  edgenr
-      for (i = 1; i <= mesh.GetNE(); i++)
-	{
-	  const Element & el = mesh.VolumeElement (i);
-	  INDEX_2 edge;
-	  for (j = 1; j <= 6; j++)
-	    {
-	      edge.I1() = el.PNum (eledges[j-1][0]);
-	      edge.I2() = el.PNum (eledges[j-1][1]);
-	      edge.Sort();
-
-	      if (!edgeht.Used (edge))
-		{
-		  edgelist.Append (edge);
-		  edgeht.Set (edge, edgelist.Size());
-		}
-	    }
-	}
-
-
-      // set bedges, bpoints
-      bedge.SetSize (edgelist.Size());
-      bedge.Clear();
-      bpoint.Clear();
-
-      for (i = 1; i <= mesh.GetNSE(); i++)
-	{
-	  const Element2d & sel = mesh.SurfaceElement(i);
-	  for (j = 1; j <= 3; j++)
-	    {
-	      bpoint.Set (sel.PNum(j));
-
-	      INDEX_2 edge;
-	      edge.I1() = sel.PNum(j);
-	      edge.I2() = sel.PNum(j%3+1);
-	      edge.Sort();
-
-	      bedge.Set (edgeht.Get (edge));
-	    }
-	}
-
-
-
-      outfile << mesh.GetNE() << endl;
-      // write element ---> point
-      for (i = 1; i <= mesh.GetNE(); i++)
-	{
-	  const Element & el = mesh.VolumeElement(i);
-
-	  outfile.width(8);
-	  outfile << i;
-	  for (j = 1; j <= 4; j++)
-	    {
-	      outfile.width(8);
-	      outfile << el.PNum(j);
-	    }
-	  outfile << endl;
-	}
-
-      // write element ---> edge
-      for (i = 1; i <= mesh.GetNE(); i++)
-	{
-	  const Element & el = mesh.VolumeElement (i);
-	  INDEX_2 edge;
-	  for (j = 1; j <= 6; j++)
-	    {
-	      edge.I1() = el.PNum (eledges[j-1][0]);
-	      edge.I2() = el.PNum (eledges[j-1][1]);
-	      edge.Sort();
-
-	      outfile.width(8);
-	      outfile << edgeht.Get (edge);
-	    }
-	  outfile << endl;
-	}
-
-      // write points
-      outfile << mesh.GetNP() << endl;
-      outfile.precision (6);
-      for (i = 1; i <= mesh.GetNP(); i++)
-	{
-	  const Point3d & p = mesh.Point(i);
-
-	  for (j = 1; j <= 3; j++)
-	    {
-	      outfile.width(8);
-	      outfile << p.X(j);
-	    }
-	  outfile << "       "
-		  << (bpoint.Test(i) ? "1" : 0) << endl;
-	}
-
-      // write edges
-      outfile << edgelist.Size() << endl;
-      for (i = 1; i <= edgelist.Size(); i++)
-	{
-	  outfile.width(8);
-	  outfile << edgelist.Get(i).I1();
-	  outfile.width(8);
-	  outfile << edgelist.Get(i).I2();
-	  outfile << "       "
-		  << (bedge.Test(i) ? "1" : "0") << endl;
-	}
-    }
-
-
-
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_neutral("Neutral Format", {".mesh"}, ReadFile, WriteNeutralFormat);
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_surface("Surface Mesh Format", {".mesh", ".surf"} ,ReadFile, WriteSurfaceFormat);
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_stl ("STL Format", {".stl", ".stlb"}, ReadFile, WriteSTLFormat);
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_stlx ("STL Extended Format", {".stl", ".stlb"}, nullopt, WriteSTLExtFormat);
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_vrml ("VRML Format", {".*"}, nullopt, WriteVRMLFormatLineset);
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_vrml_faces ("VRML Format Faces", {".*"}, nullopt, WriteVRMLFormatFaceset);
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_fepp ("Fepp Format", {"*"}, nullopt, WriteFEPPFormat);
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_edgeelement ("EdgeElement Format", {"*"}, nullopt, WriteEdgeElementFormat);
 
-}
-#endif
 }
 
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/writeuser.hpp b/libsrc/interface/writeuser.hpp
index 2c604e9d..99dc21e0 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/writeuser.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/writeuser.hpp
@@ -7,176 +7,73 @@
 /* Date:    10. Dec. 97                                                   */
 /**************************************************************************/
 
+#include <filesystem>
+#include <functional>
+#include <optional>
+
+#include <meshing.hpp>
+
 namespace netgen {
 
-DLL_HEADER extern
-void WriteFile (int typ,
-                const Mesh & mesh,
-                const NetgenGeometry & geom,
-                const filesystem::path & filename,
-                const filesystem::path & geomfile = "", 
-                double h = 0);
+using namespace std::filesystem;
+
+typedef std::function<void (const Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename)> FWrite;
+typedef std::function<void (Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename)> FRead;
+typedef std::function<bool (const filesystem::path & filename)> FTest;
+
+struct UserFormatRegister {
+  struct UserFormatEntry {
+    string format;
+    Array<string> extensions;
+    optional<FRead> read;
+    optional<FWrite> write;
+  };
+  DLL_HEADER static Array<UserFormatEntry> entries;
+  DLL_HEADER static std::map<string, int> format_to_entry_index;
+
+  static void Register(UserFormatEntry && entry) {
+    format_to_entry_index[entry.format] = entries.Size();
+    entries.Append( std::move(entry) );
+  }
+
+  static const bool HaveFormat(string format) {
+    return format_to_entry_index.count(format) > 0;
+  }
+  static const UserFormatEntry & Get(string format) {
+    return entries[format_to_entry_index[format]];
+  }
+
+  template<typename TFunc>
+  static void IterateFormats(TFunc func, bool need_read=false, bool need_write=false) {
+    Array<string> import_formats;
+    for(const auto & e: entries)
+    if((!need_read || e.read) && (!need_write || e.write))
+      import_formats.Append(e.format);
+    QuickSort(import_formats);
+    for(auto format : import_formats)
+      func(entries[format_to_entry_index[format]]);
+  }
+
+};
+
+struct RegisterUserFormat {
+  RegisterUserFormat(string format, Array<string> extensions, optional<FRead> read, optional<FWrite> write, FTest ftest = [](const filesystem::path & ){return true;})
+  {
+    UserFormatRegister::Register({format, std::move(extensions), std::move(read), std::move(write)});
+  }
+};
+
+DLL_HEADER void ReadFile(Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename);
+DLL_HEADER void ReadUserFormat(Mesh & mesh, const filesystem::path & filename, const string & format = "");
 
 
-
-DLL_HEADER extern
-void ReadFile (Mesh & mesh,
-               const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-
-
-
-
-
-extern
-void WriteNeutralFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                         const NetgenGeometry & geom,
-                         const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WriteSurfaceFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                         const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WriteSTLFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                     const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-
-// Philippose - 16 August 2010
-// Added the STL Extended format in which
-// each face of the geometry is treated as
-// a separate "solid" entity in the STL file
-extern
-void WriteSTLExtFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                        const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-
-extern
-void WriteVRMLFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                      bool faces,
-                      const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WriteFEPPFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                      const NetgenGeometry & geom,
-                      const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WriteGmshFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                      const NetgenGeometry & geom,
-                      const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-
-// Philippose - 29/01/2009
-// Added GMSH v2.xx Mesh Export support
-void WriteGmsh2Format (const Mesh & mesh,
-                       const NetgenGeometry & geom,
-                       const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-
-// Philippose - 25/10/2009
-// Added OpenFOAM 1.5+ Mesh Export support
-extern 
-void WriteOpenFOAM15xFormat (const Mesh & mesh, 
-                             const filesystem::path & casename,
-                             const bool compressed);
-
-
-extern
-void WriteUserChemnitz (const Mesh & mesh,
-                        const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WriteJCMFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                     const NetgenGeometry & geom,
-                     const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-
-extern
-void WriteDiffPackFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                          const NetgenGeometry & geom,
-                          const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WriteTochnogFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                         const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WriteTecPlotFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                         const NetgenGeometry & geom,
-                         const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WriteAbaqusFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                        const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WriteFluentFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                        const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WritePermasFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                        const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WriteFEAPFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                      const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern
-void WriteElmerFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                       const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-
-extern
-void WriteEdgeElementFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                             const NetgenGeometry & geom,
-                             const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-
-
-#ifdef OLIVER
-extern
-void WriteTETFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                     const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-#endif
-
-extern void ReadTETFormat (Mesh & mesh,
-                           const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-
-extern void ReadFNFFormat (Mesh & mesh,
-                           const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-
-
-extern void DLL_HEADER ReadCGNSMesh (Mesh & mesh,
-                           const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-extern void DLL_HEADER WriteCGNSMesh (const Mesh & mesh,
-                           const filesystem::path & filename);
-
-// read/write mesh and solutions from CGNS file
-extern tuple<shared_ptr<Mesh>, vector<string>, vector<Array<double>>, vector<int>>
-DLL_HEADER ReadCGNSFile(const filesystem::path & filename, int base);
-
-extern void DLL_HEADER WriteCGNSFile(shared_ptr<Mesh> mesh, const filesystem::path & filename, vector<string> fields,
-                                vector<Array<double>> values, vector<int> locations);
-
-
-void WriteDolfinFormat (const Mesh & mesh,
-                        const filesystem::path & filename);
-
+extern bool DLL_HEADER WriteUserFormat (const string & format,
+                                        const Mesh & mesh,
+                                        const filesystem::path & filename);
 
 extern void DLL_HEADER RegisterUserFormats (NgArray<const char*> & names,
                                  NgArray<const char*> & extensions);
 
-
-extern bool DLL_HEADER WriteUserFormat (const filesystem::path & format,
-                                        const Mesh & mesh,
-                                        // const NetgenGeometry & geom,
-                                        const filesystem::path & filename);
-
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/wuchemnitz.cpp b/libsrc/interface/wuchemnitz.cpp
index 6798993f..ffc0b864 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/wuchemnitz.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/wuchemnitz.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 #include <csg.hpp>
 #include <meshing.hpp>
 
+#include "writeuser.hpp"
+
 namespace netgen
 {
 
@@ -316,4 +318,5 @@ namespace netgen
     WriteFile (outfile);
     cout << "Wrote Chemnitz standard file" << endl;
   }
+static RegisterUserFormat reg_chemnitz ("Chemnitz Format", {"*"}, nullopt, WriteUserChemnitz );
 }
diff --git a/libsrc/meshing/python_mesh.cpp b/libsrc/meshing/python_mesh.cpp
index 8eace9e8..c8fdd6bc 100644
--- a/libsrc/meshing/python_mesh.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/meshing/python_mesh.cpp
@@ -79,6 +79,10 @@ namespace netgen
   extern bool netgen_executable_started;
   extern shared_ptr<NetgenGeometry> ng_geometry;
   extern void Optimize2d (Mesh & mesh, MeshingParameters & mp, int faceindex=0);
+#ifdef NG_CGNS
+  extern tuple<shared_ptr<Mesh>, vector<string>, vector<Array<double>>, vector<int>> ReadCGNSFile(const filesystem::path & filename, int base);
+  extern void WriteCGNSFile(shared_ptr<Mesh> mesh, const filesystem::path & filename, vector<string> fields, vector<Array<double>> values, vector<int> locations);
+#endif // NG_CGNS
 }
 
 
@@ -725,6 +729,20 @@ DLL_HEADER void ExportNetgenMeshing(py::module &m)
   ExportArray<MeshPoint,PointIndex>(m);
   ExportArray<FaceDescriptor>(m);
 
+  string export_docu = "Export mesh to other file format. Supported formats are:\n";
+  Array<string> export_formats;
+  for(auto & e : UserFormatRegister::entries)
+    if(e.write) {
+      string s = '\t'+e.format+"\t("+e.extensions[0];
+      for(auto & ext : e.extensions.Range(1, e.extensions.Size()))
+        s += ", "+ext;
+      s += ")\n";
+      export_formats.Append(s);
+    }
+  QuickSort(export_formats);
+  for(const auto & s : export_formats)
+    export_docu += s;
+
   py::implicitly_convertible< int, PointIndex>();
 
   py::class_<NetgenGeometry, shared_ptr<NetgenGeometry>> (m, "NetgenGeometry", py::dynamic_attr())
@@ -932,18 +950,11 @@ DLL_HEADER void ExportNetgenMeshing(py::module &m)
     .def("Export",
          [] (Mesh & self, string filename, string format)
           {
-            if (WriteUserFormat (format, self, /* *self.GetGeometry(), */ filename))
-              {
-                string err = string ("nothing known about format")+format;
-                NgArray<const char*> names, extensions;
-                RegisterUserFormats (names, extensions);
-                err += "\navailable formats are:\n";
-                for (auto name : names)
-                  err += string("'") + name + "'\n";
-                throw NgException (err);
-              }
+            if (WriteUserFormat (format, self, filename))
+                throw Exception ("Nothing known about format"+format);
           },
-         py::arg("filename"), py::arg("format"),py::call_guard<py::gil_scoped_release>())
+         py::arg("filename"), py::arg("format"), export_docu.c_str(),
+         py::call_guard<py::gil_scoped_release>())
     
     .def_property("dim", &Mesh::GetDimension, &Mesh::SetDimension)
 
@@ -1672,20 +1683,21 @@ project_boundaries : Optional[str] = None
         })
     ;
 
-  m.def("ImportMesh", [](const string& filename)
+  string import_docu = "Import mesh from other file format. Leaving format parameter empty guesses based on file extension.\nSupported formats are:\n";
+  UserFormatRegister::IterateFormats([&](auto & e) {
+      string s = '\t'+e.format+"\t("+e.extensions[0];
+      for(auto & ext : e.extensions.Range(1, e.extensions.Size()))
+        s += ", "+ext;
+      s += ")\n";
+      import_docu += s;
+  }, true);
+
+  m.def("ImportMesh", [](const string& filename, const string & format)
                       {
                         auto mesh = make_shared<Mesh>();
-                        ReadFile(*mesh, filename);
+                        ReadUserFormat(*mesh, filename, format);
                         return mesh;
-                      }, py::arg("filename"),
-    R"delimiter(Import mesh from other file format, supported file formats are:
- Neutral format (*.mesh, *.emt)
- Surface file (*.surf)
- Universal format (*.unv)
- Olaf format (*.emt)
- Tet format (*.tet)
- Pro/ENGINEER format (*.fnf)
-)delimiter");
+                      }, py::arg("filename"), py::arg("format")="", import_docu.c_str());
   py::enum_<MESHING_STEP>(m,"MeshingStep")
     .value("ANALYSE", MESHCONST_ANALYSE)
     .value("MESHEDGES", MESHCONST_MESHEDGES)
@@ -1757,6 +1769,7 @@ project_boundaries : Optional[str] = None
 
   m.attr("debugparam") = py::cast(&debugparam);
 
+#ifdef NG_CGNS
   m.def("ReadCGNSFile", &ReadCGNSFile, py::arg("filename"), py::arg("base")=1, "Read mesh and solution vectors from CGNS file");
   m.def("WriteCGNSFile", &WriteCGNSFile, py::arg("mesh"), py::arg("filename"), py::arg("names"), py::arg("values"), py::arg("locations"),
       R"(Write mesh and solution vectors to CGNS file, possible values for locations:
@@ -1765,6 +1778,7 @@ project_boundaries : Optional[str] = None
       FaceCenter = 2
       CellCenter = 3
       )");
+#endif // NG_CGNS
 
     py::class_<SurfaceGeometry, NetgenGeometry, shared_ptr<SurfaceGeometry>> (m, "SurfaceGeometry")
     .def(py::init<>())
diff --git a/ng/menustat.tcl b/ng/menustat.tcl
index 5be804c2..cd5d3a02 100644
--- a/ng/menustat.tcl
+++ b/ng/menustat.tcl
@@ -222,9 +222,15 @@ loadmeshinifile;
 
 
 
+set meshimportformats [Ng_GetImportFormats]
 
 .ngmenu.file add command -label "Import Mesh..." \
     -command { 
+	foreach importformat $meshimportformats {
+	    if { [lindex $importformat 0] == $importfiletype } {
+		set extension [lindex $importformat 1]
+	    }
+	}
 	set types {
 	    {"Neutral format"  {.mesh .emt} }
 	    {"Surface mesh format"  {.surf} }
@@ -235,9 +241,9 @@ loadmeshinifile;
 	    {"Pro/ENGINEER neutral format" {.fnf} }
 	    {"CFD General Notation System" {.cgns} }
 	          }
-	set file [tk_getOpenFile -filetypes $types ]
+  set file [tk_getOpenFile -filetypes $meshimportformats -typevariable importfiletype]
 	if {$file != ""} {
-	    Ng_ImportMesh $file 
+	    Ng_ImportMesh $file $importfiletype
 	    set selectvisual mesh
 	    Ng_SetVisParameters
 	    redraw
diff --git a/ng/ngpkg.cpp b/ng/ngpkg.cpp
index e3778cf4..e8113567 100644
--- a/ng/ngpkg.cpp
+++ b/ng/ngpkg.cpp
@@ -282,17 +282,33 @@ namespace netgen
   }
 
 
+  int Ng_GetImportFormats (ClientData clientData,
+                           Tcl_Interp * interp,
+                           int argc, tcl_const char *argv[])
+  {
+    ostringstream fstr;
+    UserFormatRegister::IterateFormats([&](auto & entry) {
+      fstr << "{ {" << entry.format << "} {" << entry.extensions[0];
+      for(auto ext : entry.extensions.Range(1, entry.extensions.Size()))
+        fstr << ' ' << ext;
+      fstr << "} }\n";
+    }, true, false);
+    
+    Tcl_SetResult (interp, const_cast<char*>(fstr.str().c_str()), TCL_VOLATILE);
+    return TCL_OK;
+  }
+
   int Ng_GetExportFormats (ClientData clientData,
                            Tcl_Interp * interp,
                            int argc, tcl_const char *argv[])
   {
-    NgArray<const char*> userformats;
-    NgArray<const char*> extensions;
-    RegisterUserFormats (userformats, extensions);
-    
     ostringstream fstr;
-    for (int i = 1; i <= userformats.Size(); i++)
-      fstr << "{ {" << userformats.Get(i) << "} {" << extensions.Get(i) << "} }\n";
+    UserFormatRegister::IterateFormats([&](auto & entry) {
+      fstr << "{ {" << entry.format << "} {" << entry.extensions[0];
+      for(auto ext : entry.extensions.Range(1, entry.extensions.Size()))
+        fstr << ' ' << ext;
+      fstr << "} }\n";
+    }, false, true);
     
     Tcl_SetResult (interp, const_cast<char*>(fstr.str().c_str()), TCL_VOLATILE);
     return TCL_OK;
@@ -333,11 +349,12 @@ namespace netgen
 		     int argc, tcl_const char *argv[])
   {
     const string filename (argv[1]);
+    const string format (argv[2]);
     PrintMessage (1, "import mesh from ", filename);
 
     mesh = make_shared<Mesh>();
 
-    ReadFile (*mesh, filename);
+    ReadUserFormat (*mesh, filename, format);
     PrintMessage (2, mesh->GetNP(), " Points, ",
 		  mesh->GetNE(), " Elements.");
 
@@ -2877,6 +2894,10 @@ void PlayAnimFile(const char* name, int speed, int maxcnt)
 		       (ClientData)NULL,
 		       (Tcl_CmdDeleteProc*) NULL);
 
+    Tcl_CreateCommand (interp, "Ng_GetImportFormats", Ng_GetImportFormats,
+		       (ClientData)NULL,
+		       (Tcl_CmdDeleteProc*) NULL);
+
     Tcl_CreateCommand (interp, "Ng_GetExportFormats", Ng_GetExportFormats,
 		       (ClientData)NULL,
 		       (Tcl_CmdDeleteProc*) NULL);
diff --git a/ng/onetcl.cpp b/ng/onetcl.cpp
index 63d7f085..7e5254c6 100644
--- a/ng/onetcl.cpp
+++ b/ng/onetcl.cpp
@@ -250,6 +250,7 @@ DLL_HEADER const char * ngscript[] = {""
 ,"set status_filename 0\n"
 ,"set status_tetqualclasses \"10 20 30 40 10 20 30 40 10 20 30 40 10 20 30 40 10 20 30 40\"\n"
 ,"set exportfiletype \"Neutral Format\"\n"
+,"set importfiletype \"Neutral Format\"\n"
 ,"set preproc.facenr 0\n"
 ,"set preproc.selectmode query\n"
 ,"set preproc.numtrig 0\n"
@@ -860,8 +861,14 @@ DLL_HEADER const char * ngscript[] = {""
 ,"Ng_ReadStatus;\n"
 ,"}\n"
 ,"}\n"
+,"set meshimportformats [Ng_GetImportFormats]\n"
 ,".ngmenu.file add command -label \"Import Mesh...\" \\\n"
 ,"-command {\n"
+,"foreach importformat $meshimportformats {\n"
+,"if { [lindex $importformat 0] == $importfiletype } {\n"
+,"set extension [lindex $importformat 1]\n"
+,"}\n"
+,"}\n"
 ,"set types {\n"
 ,"{\"Neutral format\"  {.mesh .emt} }\n"
 ,"{\"Surface mesh format\"  {.surf} }\n"
@@ -872,9 +879,9 @@ DLL_HEADER const char * ngscript[] = {""
 ,"{\"Pro/ENGINEER neutral format\" {.fnf} }\n"
 ,"{\"CFD General Notation System\" {.cgns} }\n"
 ,"}\n"
-,"set file [tk_getOpenFile -filetypes $types ]\n"
+,"set file [tk_getOpenFile -filetypes $meshimportformats -typevariable importfiletype]\n"
 ,"if {$file != \"\"} {\n"
-,"Ng_ImportMesh $file\n"
+,"Ng_ImportMesh $file $importfiletype\n"
 ,"set selectvisual mesh\n"
 ,"Ng_SetVisParameters\n"
 ,"redraw\n"
diff --git a/ng/variables.tcl b/ng/variables.tcl
index e2748ecc..0ef9bdb2 100644
--- a/ng/variables.tcl
+++ b/ng/variables.tcl
@@ -232,6 +232,7 @@ set status_filename 0
 set status_tetqualclasses "10 20 30 40 10 20 30 40 10 20 30 40 10 20 30 40 10 20 30 40"
 
 set exportfiletype "Neutral Format"
+set importfiletype "Neutral Format"
 
 set preproc.facenr 0
 set preproc.selectmode query